Drive assembly for an electrical switching apparatus racking assembly

ABSTRACT

A drive assembly for an electrical switching apparatus racking assembly is provided. The drive assembly includes a positioning assembly, a motor assembly, and a control assembly. The positioning assembly is structured to impart movement to said carriage assembly and to move said carriage assembly from said first position to said second position. The motor assembly is structured to impart movement to said positioning assembly. The control assembly is structured to control said motor assembly. The control assembly is in electronic communication with the motor assembly. The motor assembly is operatively coupled to the positioning assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an electrical switching apparatus and,more specifically, to a motorized drive assembly for an electricalswitching apparatus racking assembly.

2. Background Information

An electrical switching apparatus, in an exemplary embodiment, includesa housing assembly a number of electrical components and at least onebus assembly. The housing assembly is structured to insulate and enclosethe other components. The number of electrical components include, butare not limited to, circuit breakers, voltage transformers, controlpower transformers, fuses, batteries, and other electrical components.The bus assembly includes a conductive bus that is further coupled to,and in electrical communication with, an external line bus or a loadbus. Within the housing assembly is a contact assembly which is fixed tothe housing assembly. At least one electrical component includes amovable contact assembly. The electrical components are disposed on amovable carriage. The carriage moves between a first and secondposition. When the carriage is in the first position, the electricalcomponent movable contact assembly is spaced from, and not in electricalcommunication with, the housing assembly contact assembly. When thecarriage is in the second position, the electrical component movablecontact assembly is coupled to, and in electrical communication with,the housing assembly contact assembly. These components are withdrawn toisolate them from the voltage source thus creating a safe workenvironment for the user to perform maintenance or inspections. Movementof the carriage is done manually.

Manual movement of the carriage has several disadvantages. For example,the electrical switching apparatus may be heavy requiring a technicianto exert considerable force to move the carriage. Further, a technicianmust be at the location of the electrical switching apparatus. Inaddition, the technician may accidentally force the carriage into thesecond position when components are misaligned. There is, therefore aneed for a drive assembly for an electrical switching apparatus thatovercomes these disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These needs, and others, are met by at least one embodiment of thedisclosed concept which provides a drive assembly including apositioning assembly, a motor assembly, and a control assembly. Thepositioning assembly is structured to impart movement to said carriageassembly and to move said carriage assembly from said first position tosaid second position. The motor assembly is structured to impartmovement to said positioning assembly. The control assembly isstructured to control said motor assembly. The control assembly is inelectronic communication with the motor assembly. The motor assembly isoperatively coupled to the positioning assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full understanding of the disclosed and claimed concept can be gainedfrom the following description of the preferred embodiments when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an electrical switching apparatuswith a carriage assembly in a first position.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of an electrical switching apparatuswith a carriage assembly in a second position.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of an alternate electrical switchingapparatus with a carriage assembly in a first position.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of an alternate electrical switchingapparatus with a carriage assembly in a second position.

FIG. 5 is a partial side view of an electrical switching apparatus witha carriage assembly in a first position.

FIG. 6 is a partial side view of an electrical switching apparatus witha carriage assembly in a second position.

FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view showing a number of stackedcarriage assemblies.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a drive assembly. FIG. 8A is a detailview of the manual drive assembly.

FIG. 9 is another isometric view of a drive assembly.

FIG. 10 is a partial isometric view of a racking assembly.

FIG. 11 is a partial rear view of a racking assembly.

FIG. 12 is a detail view of a manual override assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As used herein, the singular form of“a,” “an,” and “the” include pluralreferences unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, the term “number” means one or an integer greater thanone (i.e., a plurality).

As used herein, a “limited number” means one or more of a larger set.For example, a “number” wheels on a vehicle includes four wheels; a“limited number” of wheels means at least one but less than four.

As used herein, the statement that two or more parts or components are“coupled” shall mean that the parts are joined or operate togethereither directly or indirectly, i.e., through one or more intermediateparts or components, so long as a link occurs. As used herein, “directlycoupled” means that two elements are directly in contact with eachother. As used herein, “fixedly coupled” or “fixed” means that twocomponents are coupled so as to move as one while maintaining a constantorientation relative to each other. Accordingly, when two elements arecoupled, all portions of those elements are coupled. A description,however, of a specific portion of a first element being coupled to asecond element, e.g., an axle first end being coupled to a first wheel,means that the specific portion of the first element is disposed closerto the second element than the other portions thereof. Further, anobject resting on another object held in place only by gravity is not“coupled” to the lower object unless the upper object is otherwisemaintained substantially in place. That is, for example, a book on atable is not coupled thereto, but a book glued to a table is coupledthereto.

As used herein, a “coupling assembly” includes two or more couplings orcoupling components. The components of a coupling or coupling assemblyare generally not part of the same element or other component. As such,the components of a “coupling assembly” may not be described at the sametime in the following description. Further, a “removable couplingassembly” is a coupling assembly wherein the components are easilyseparated, such as, but not limited to a nut and bolt.

As used herein, a “coupling” is one element of a coupling assembly. Thatis, a coupling assembly includes at least two components, or couplingcomponents, that are structured to be coupled together. It is understoodthat the elements of a coupling assembly are compatible with each other.For example, in a coupling assembly, if one coupling element is a snapsocket, the other coupling element is a snap plug.

As used herein, the statement that two or more parts or components“engage” one another shall mean that the parts exert a force against oneanother either directly or through one or more intermediate parts orcomponents.

As used herein, the word “unitary” means a component is created as asingle piece or unit. That is, a component that includes pieces that arecreated separately and then coupled together as a unit is not a“unitary” component or body.

As used herein, “correspond” indicates that two structural componentsare sized and shaped to be similar to each other and may be coupled witha minimum amount of friction. Thus, an opening which “corresponds” to amember is sized slightly larger than the member so that the member maypass through the opening with a minimum amount of friction. Thisdefinition is modified if the two components are said to fit “snugly”together or “snuggly correspond.” In that situation, the differencebetween the size of the components is even smaller whereby the amount offriction increases. If the element defining the opening and/or thecomponent inserted into the opening are made from a deformable orcompressible material, the opening may even be slightly smaller than thecomponent being inserted into the opening. This definition is furthermodified if the two components are said to “substantially correspond.”“Substantially correspond” means that the size of the opening is veryclose to the size of the element inserted therein. That is, not so closeas to cause substantial friction, as with a snug fit, but with morecontact and friction than a “corresponding fit,” i.e. a “slightlylarger” fit.

As used herein, “associated” means that the elements are part of thesame assembly and/or operate together, or, act upon/with each other insome manner. For example, an automobile has four tires and four hubcaps. While all the elements are coupled as part of the automobile, itis understood that each hubcap is “associated” with a specific tire.

Directional phrases used herein, such as, for example and withoutlimitation, top, bottom, left, right, upper, lower, front, back andderivatives thereof, relate to the orientation of the elements shown inthe drawings and are not limiting upon the claims unless expresslyrecited therein.

As used herein, “structured to [verb]” means that the identified elementor assembly has a structure that is shaped, sized, disposed, coupledand/or configured to perform the identified verb. For example, a memberthat is “structured to move” is movably coupled to another element andincludes elements that cause the member to move or the member isotherwise configured to move in response to other elements orassemblies.

As used herein, “structured to [verb]” when used in relation to asoftware module or code, means that the module/code includes executablecomputer instructions, code, data, or similar elements that perform theidentified task.

As used herein, and when used in reference to communicating data or asignal, “in electronic communication” includes both hardline andwireless forms of communication.

As used herein, “in electric communication” means that a current passesbetween the identified elements.

As shown in FIGS. 1-7, an electrical switching apparatus 10 includes ahousing assembly 12, a number of electrical components 20, and a numberof racking assemblies 30. The housing assembly 12 includes a number ofsidewalls 13 that define an enclosed space 14. In an exemplaryembodiment, the sidewalls 13 include a generally planar bottom sidewall13′, a generally planar back sidewall 13″, a movable front cover 13″′,and two lateral sidewalls 13′″. The housing assembly 12 further includesa number of rails 16. As shown, the rails are disposed in generallyparallel pairs of rails 16. In an exemplary embodiment, the rails 16 areplanar members extending generally perpendicular and upwardly from thebottom sidewall 13′. Further, the rails 16 extend generally in afront-to-back direction in the housing assembly 12. In an alternateembodiment, there are a number of rails 16 in each housing assembly 12.The rails 16 are disposed in generally parallel pairs with the lowestpair extending generally perpendicular and upwardly from the bottomsidewall 13. The upper pairs of rails 16 are coupled to the lateralsidewalls 13′″ of the housing assembly 12. In this configuration,multiple sets of electrical components 20 and racking assemblies 30 maybe disposed in the housing assembly 12.

The housing assembly 12 also includes a bus assembly 17. The busassembly 17 includes, among other components, a contact assembly 18. Thehousing assembly contact assembly 18 is structured to be coupled toanother contact assembly. In an exemplary embodiment, the housingassembly contact assembly 18 includes two resilient fingers 19 that arebiased toward each other. The housing assembly contact assembly 18 is inelectrical communication with a line or load bus. The housing assemblycontact assembly 18 is coupled, or fixed, to the back sidewall 13″.

The number of electrical components 20 vary depending upon the nature ofthe electrical switching apparatus 10. In an exemplary embodiment, andas used herein, the number of electrical components 20 include circuitbreakers, voltage transformers, control power transformers, fuses,batteries and other electrical components The number of electricalcomponents 20, or a limited number of the number of electricalcomponents 20, are in electrical communication with each other. At leastone of the number of electrical components 20 includes a movable contactassembly 22. The movable contact assembly 22 is structured to be coupledto, and placed in electrical communication with, the housing assemblycontact assembly 18. In an exemplary embodiment, the movable contactassembly 22 includes a planar member 24 that is structured to fitbetween the fingers 19 of the housing assembly contact assembly 18. Themovable contact assembly 22 is in electrical communication with at leastone of the number of electrical components 20.

The racking assemblies 30 are substantially similar and therefore, onlyone will be described. The racking assembly 30 includes a movablecarriage assembly 40 and a drive assembly 50, shown in FIG. 8. Thecarriage assembly 40 includes a body 42 and a number of wheels 44. Thecarriage assembly body 42 is sized to fit within said housing assemblyenclosed space 14. In an exemplary embodiment, the carriage assemblybody 42 is generally rectangular, generally planar and disposedgenerally horizontally. That is, the carriage assembly body 42, in anexemplary embodiment, includes a generally planar upper surface 46 and agenerally planar lower surface 48. The carriage assembly body 42 isstructured to support the number of electrical components 20, or alimited number of the number of electrical components 20. That is, asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the carriage assembly body 42, in oneembodiment, supports all the electrical components 20 and the electricalcomponents 20 move therewith. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,the carriage assembly body 42 supports a limited number of electricalcomponents 20 including the movable contact assembly 22. In thisembodiment, the movable contact assembly 22 is coupled to, and inelectrical communication with, the unsupported electrical components 20via a conductor 23.

Further, the carriage assembly body 42 is structured to be moved betweena first position and a second position, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In anexemplary embodiment, the carriage assembly wheels 44 are rotatablycoupled to the carriage assembly body 42. In an exemplary embodiment,there are four carriage assembly wheels 44 which are disposed inopposing pairs on the lateral sides of the carriage assembly body 42.The carriage assembly wheels 44 are structured to travel over thehousing assembly rails 16. As used herein, the carriage assembly body 42defines a “path of travel” between the carriage assembly body 42 firstposition and second position. That is, as used herein, the carriageassembly body 42 “path of travel” is defined by space occupied by themovable carriage assembly 40 and the number of electrical components 20disposed thereon as the carriage assembly body 42 moves between thefirst position and second position.

As shown in FIG. 7, the housing assembly 12 is, in an exemplaryembodiment, structured to enclose a number of racking assemblies eachwith a movable carriage assembly 40 supporting electrical components 20.The movable carriage assemblies 40 are disposed in a stackedconfiguration, i.e., one carriage assembly 40 disposed above another. Asdiscussed in detail below, the drive assembly 50 has a thin profile thatallows the drive assembly 50 to be disposed below the associatedcarriage assembly 40 in the space defined by the rails 16 (FIG. 10).That is, each drive assembly 50 is coupled to, directly coupled to, orfixed to the housing assembly 12 at a location below and between therails 16 used by the associated carriage assembly 40.

The drive assembly 50, shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, includes a motor assembly60 and a positioning assembly 80. In an exemplary embodiment, the driveassembly 50 further includes a manual override assembly 120, a controlassembly 150, and a lock assembly 230. The motor assembly 60 isstructured to impart movement to the positioning assembly 80. In oneexemplary embodiment, the motor assembly 60 is coupled, directlycoupled, or fixed to the carriage assembly body 42. In an alternateembodiment, the motor assembly 60 is coupled, directly coupled, or fixedto the housing assembly 12. The motor assembly 60, in an exemplaryembodiment, is an electric motor 62 that includes a rotating outputshaft 64 and a power line 66. The motor assembly 60 is coupled to thepositioning assembly 80. In an exemplary embodiment, the motor assembly60 is structured to cause the output shaft 64 to rotate in twodirections, i.e. clockwise and counter clock-wise. In an exemplaryembodiment, the output shaft 64 is operatively coupled to thepositioning assembly 80. As used herein, “operatively coupled” meansthat motion in one element is transferred to another element; themotion, however, may be altered, e.g. a rotational motion may betransformed into a linear motion.

The positioning assembly 80 is structured to impart movement to thecarriage assembly 40 and to move the carriage assembly 40 from the firstposition to the second position. That is, the positioning assembly 80 isstructured to position the carriage assembly 40 at a selected locationin the housing assembly 12. The positioning assembly 80 is coupled,directly coupled, removably coupled, or fixed to the carriage assemblybody 42 and/or the housing assembly 12. In an exemplary embodiment, thepositioning assembly 80 is disposed between the carriage assembly body42 and the housing assembly 12 thereby coupling the two elements. Thepositioning assembly 80 is structured to cooperate with the motorassembly 60. That is, the positioning assembly 80 is structured toconvert motion generated by the motor assembly 60 into a motion thatimparts movement to the carriage assembly 40.

For example, in one embodiment, not shown, the positioning assembly 80includes a worm gear, a toothed rack, and low friction sliders (noneshown). The rack is fixed to the carriage assembly 40. The motorassembly 60 is fixed to the housing assembly 12. The worm gear is fixedto the output shaft 64 and is operatively coupled to the rack. The lowfriction sliders are coupled to the bottom side of the carriage assemblybody 42. In this configuration, when the motor assembly 60 is actuated,the worm gear rotates and engages the rack. The rack, and therefore thecarriage assembly body 42 moves in response to the motion of the wormgear. In another embodiment, also not shown, the carriage assemblywheels 44 are operatively coupled to the drive assembly 50, e.g. by adrive shaft (not shown).

In an exemplary embodiment, as shown, a positioning assembly 80 includesa support assembly 90, a number of lead screws 92, a number of driveblocks 94, and a transmission assembly 96. The support assembly 90includes a generally planar member 100 and a number of generallyvertical sidewalls 102. The support assembly 90 generally defines theheight of the drive assembly 50. That is, as used herein, “generallydefines the height of the drive assembly” means the height of theclosely coupled elements and expressly does not include theheight/position of the sensors 156 or the manual override assembly 120.The support assembly 90 has a height of between about 1.5 inches and 3.5inches, or about 2.5 inches.

The support assembly planar member 100 defines a number of drivechannels 104. In an exemplary embodiment, the support assembly planarmember 100 is generally rectangular and is sized to be disposed in thehousing assembly 12. The vertical sidewalls 102 are coupled, directlycoupled or fixed to the support assembly planar member 100 and extendgenerally perpendicular to and downwardly therefrom. The supportassembly vertical sidewalls 102 are further coupled, directly coupled orfixed to the housing assembly bottom sidewall 13′.

In an exemplary embodiment, the drive channels 104 are elongated slotsin the support assembly planar member 100. Further, when the supportassembly planar member 100 is disposed in the housing assembly 12, thedrive channels 104 extend generally in a front-to-back direction in thehousing assembly 12. Each lead screw 92 is disposed in an associateddrive channel 104. In an exemplary embodiment, there are two lead screws92 and two drive channels 104. The two drive channels 104 are disposednear the lateral sides of the support assembly planar member 100. Eachlead screw 92 is rotatably coupled to the support assembly planar member100.

Each drive block 94 is sized to loosely correspond to the width of anassociated drive channel 104. In an exemplary embodiment, each driveblock 94 is a generally parallelepiped body 98 that defines a threadedpassage (not shown). Each threaded passage is sized to correspond to theassociated lead screw 92. Each drive block 94 is movably coupled to theassociated lead screw 92. That is, each lead screw 92 is threadedthrough an associated drive block 94. In this configuration, each driveblock 94 cannot rotate substantially within the associated drive channel104, but can move freely along the associated lead screw 92. Thus,rotation of each lead screw 92 causes the associated drive block 94 tomove along the lead screw 92 between a first position and secondposition.

The transmission assembly 96 is operatively coupled to the motorassembly 60 as well as to each lead screw 92. In an exemplaryembodiment, the transmission assembly 96 includes a tension member 110such as, but not limited to, one of a belt 112, toothed belt (notshown), or a chain (not shown). The tension member 110 is operativelycoupled to the motor assembly output shaft 64. In an exemplaryembodiment, the motor assembly output shaft 64 has an axis of rotationthat is generally parallel to, and generally in the same plane as, theaxis of rotation of the two lead screws 92. The tension member 110 isalso operatively coupled to both lead screws 92. Thus, rotational motionis transferred from the motor assembly 60 to the lead screws 92 via thetension member 110. As noted above, rotational motion of the lead screws92 cause the drive blocks 94 to move along the lead screws 92. It isunderstood that the rotation of the lead screws 92 causes the driveblocks 94 to move in one direction and an opposite rotation of the leadscrews 92 causes the drive blocks 94 to move in the other direction.

The drive assembly 50 is assembled as follows. The motor assembly 60 iscoupled, directly coupled, or fixed to the support assembly 90 with theaxis of rotation of the motor assembly output shaft 64 having an axis ofrotation that is generally parallel to, and generally in the same planeas, the axis of rotation of the two lead screws 92. The tension member110 is operatively coupled to both the motor assembly output shaft 64and the lead screws 92. The support assembly 90 is then coupled,directly coupled, or fixed to the housing assembly 12. In an exemplaryembodiment, the support assembly 90 is disposed between, but below, orpartially below, a pair of rails 16. That is, because the drive assembly50 has a low profile, the drive assembly 50 occupies a minimal space inthe housing assembly 12 and is disposed outside the carriage assemblybody 42 path of travel. The support assembly 90 is, in an exemplaryembodiment, disposed so that the lead screw 92 extends generallyfront-to-back within the housing assembly 12.

In this configuration, the carriage assembly 40 is structured to becoupled to the positioning assembly 80. In an exemplary embodiment, thecarriage assembly body 42 is coupled, directly coupled, fixed, orselectively coupled to the drive blocks 94. In this configuration, thecarriage assembly body 42 moves with the drive blocks 94 between a firstposition and second position. The number of electrical components 20disposed on the carriage assembly body 42 move therewith. This includesthe movable contact assembly 22 which moves between a separated, firstposition, wherein the housing assembly contact assembly 18 and themovable contact assembly 22 are not in electrical communication, and acoupled, second position, wherein the housing assembly contact assembly18 and the movable contact assembly 22 are in electrical communication.In an exemplary embodiment, the housing assembly contact assembly 18 isdisposed on the back sidewall 13″; thus, the movable contact assembly 22separated, first position is when the carriage assembly 40 is disposedcloser to the forward side of the housing assembly 12, and, the movablecontact assembly 22 coupled, second position is when the carriageassembly 40 is disposed closer to the back sidewall 13″.

In an exemplary embodiment, the carriage assembly body 42 is selectivelycoupled to the drive blocks 94. That is, the manual override assembly120, shown in FIGS. 10-12 allows for the carriage assembly body 42 andthe drive blocks 94 to be selectively decoupled. In this configuration,a user decouples the carriage assembly 40 and the drive assembly 50 soas to manually move the carriage assembly body 42 between the carriageassembly body 42 first and second positions with the use of the driveassembly 50. Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, the manual overrideassembly 120 includes a selectively couplable coupling assembly 122.

In an exemplary embodiment, the selectively couplable coupling assembly122 includes a number of first coupling components 124 and a number ofsecond coupling components 126. Each selectively couplable couplingassembly first coupling component 124, hereinafter “manual overridefirst coupling component 124,” is coupled to a lead screw 92. In theembodiment shown, each manual override first coupling component 124 is adrive block 94. Each selectively couplable coupling assembly secondcoupling component 126, hereinafter “manual override second couplingcomponent 126,” is coupled to the carriage assembly 40. In an exemplaryembodiment, each manual override second coupling component 126 is abracket latch assembly 130.

As shown in FIG. 12, a bracket latch assembly 130 includes a mounting132, a bracket latch member 134 and a biasing device 136. The bracketlatch assembly mounting 132 is coupled, directly coupled, or fixed tothe carriage assembly 40. The bracket latch member 134 includes a body138 with a latch end 140. The bracket latch member body latch end 140 isstructured to bracket (as used herein the verb “bracket” means topartially encompass”) a portion of the manual override first couplingcomponent 124, i.e. a drive block 94. In an exemplary embodiment, thebracket latch member body latch end 140 is a rectangular cutout 142sized to correspond to the drive block 94. That is, in an exemplaryembodiment, the bracket latch member body 138 is generally planar and isdisposed in a plane that is generally aligned with a lead screw 92 axisof rotation. In this configuration, the bracket latch member body latchend 140 extends over the front and back side of the drive block 94.Thus, when the drive block 94 moves, the motion is transferred to thebracket latch member body 138 as well as the carriage assembly 40.

That is, the bracket latch member body 138 is movably coupled to thebracket latch assembly mounting 132. In an exemplary embodiment, thebracket latch member body 138 is structured to translate relative to thebracket latch assembly mounting 132. Further, the bracket latch assemblybiasing device 136, which includes, but is not limited to, a compressionspring 144 is disposed between the bracket latch member body 138 and thebracket latch assembly mounting 132. In this configuration, the bracketlatch member body 138 is structured to move between a first, engagedposition, wherein the bracket latch member body 138 engages anassociated drive block 94, and a second, disengaged position, whereinthe bracket latch member body 138 does not engage an associated driveblock 94. Further, the bracket latch assembly biasing device 136 biasesthe bracket latch member body 138 toward the first position. Further,the bracket latch member body 138, in an exemplary embodiment, includesa finger tab 146 that is structured to assist a user in moving thebracket latch member body 138 between positions.

The drive device control assembly 150 is structured to allow remotecontrol and monitoring of the drive assembly 50, as shown in FIG. 8 (alldrive device control assembly elements shown schematically). In anexemplary embodiment, the control assembly 150 includes a controlcircuit 152, an output assembly 154 and a number of sensors 156.Further, the control assembly 150 includes a data storage device 158 andan input assembly 160. The control circuit 152 includes hardware andsoftware (shown schematically) such as, but not limited to aprogrammable logic circuit and memory devices, structured to engage anddisengage power to the motor assembly 60, to monitor the sensors 156,discussed below, provide output to the output assembly 154 and toreceive and respond to input from the input assembly 160. The controlcircuit 152 is in electronic communication with the motor assembly 60and is structured to control, i.e. turn on/off and control the powerlevel to, the motor assembly 60. The control circuit 152 is furtherstructured to control the direction of the motor assembly 60 output.

The control assembly input assembly 160 is structured to receive inputfrom the sensors 156 as well as from a user. The input assembly 160includes a control panel (not shown) that is remote from the housingassembly 12. The control assembly output assembly 154 is structured toprovide information to the user. The control assembly output assembly154 includes, but is not limited to, a display on the remote controlpanel. The control assembly output assembly 154 also includesindicators, such as, but not limited to lights, that are illuminatedunder certain condition, e.g. the carriage assembly 40 located in thesecond position.

Each sensor 156 is structured to detect a selected characteristic, togenerate data representative of that characteristic, and to provide asignal representing that data. Further, each sensor 156 is in electroniccommunication with the control circuit 152. That is, each sensor 156signal is communicated to the control circuit 152. For example, thesensors 156 include, but are not limited to, a current sensor 156′ and atorque sensor 156″. The current sensor 156′ is coupled to, andstructured to detect the current within, the motor assembly power line66. The torque sensor 156″ is coupled to, and structured to detect thetorque within, the motor assembly output shaft 64. In thisconfiguration, the control assembly 150 can detect an increase in thepower to, or torque within the motor assembly 60. Such increases mayindicate the carriage assembly 40, or other element, has become jammedor stuck.

That is, in an exemplary embodiment, the control assembly data storagedevice 158 includes data representing an acceptable power draw profile.The control circuit 152 is structured to compare data from the currentsensor 156′ to the acceptable power draw profile and, if the data fromthe current sensor 156′ deviates from the acceptable power draw profileby a first deviation, the control circuit 152 is structured to presentan indication on the output assembly 154. For example, when the currentsensor 156′ detects an increased current, a warning light (not shown) isilluminated. Further, if the data from the current sensor 156′ deviatesfrom the acceptable power draw profile by a second, greater deviation,the control circuit 152 is structured to terminate the operation of themotor assembly 60. Similarly, an indication of increased torque mayindicate a jammed carriage assembly 40 and may be processed by thecontrol circuit 152 in a similar manner.

The sensors 156 further include position sensors 156′″ and externalsensors 156′″. The position sensors 156′″ are coupled to at least one ofthe carriage assembly 40 or the housing assembly 12 and are structuredto determine the position of the carriage assembly 40 relative to thehousing assembly 12. In an exemplary embodiment, the position sensors156′″ are disposed along the rails 16 and are structured to indicate theposition of the carriage assembly 40 relative to the rails 16. Thisincludes, but is not limited to, sensors that indicate when the carriageassembly 40 is in the first and second positions. The control circuit152 is structured to provide an indication of the carriage assembly 40position on the output assembly 154. The external sensors 156′″ arestructured to measure characteristics of the electrical components suchas, but not limited to, current passing through the electricalcomponents.

In an exemplary embodiment, the drive assembly 50 further includes amanual drive assembly 170. The manual drive assembly 170 is structuredto impart movement to the positioning assembly 80 manually, i.e. withoutengaging the motor assembly 60. In an exemplary embodiment, the manualdrive assembly 170 includes a mounting 172 and a coupling assembly 174including a first coupling component 176 and a second coupling component178. As shown in FIG. 8, and in an exemplary embodiment, the manualdrive assembly mounting 172 includes an opening 180 and a bracket 182.The manual drive assembly mounting opening 180 is located in a supportassembly vertical sidewall 102 at a location aligned with the axis ofrotation of a lead screw 92. That is, the axis of rotation of a leadscrew 92 extends generally through the center of the manual driveassembly mounting opening 180. The manual drive assembly mountingbracket 182, in an exemplary embodiment, includes a generally U-shapedbody 184 that also defines an opening 186. The manual drive assemblymounting opening 180 and the manual drive assembly mounting bracketopening 186 are both generally circular.

The manual drive assembly first coupling component 176 is, in anexemplary embodiment, a unitary extension of a lead screw 92 having aportion that is a non-circular shape. That is, the lead screw 92includes an extension 190 sized to extend beyond the associated drivechannel 104. The lead screw extension 190 includes a proximal portion192 and a distal portion 194. The lead screw extension proximal portion192 is disposed adjacent the lead screw 92, and in an exemplaryembodiment, is unitary therewith. The lead screw extension distalportion 194 has a non-circular cross-sectional shape. In an exemplaryembodiment, the lead screw 92 extension distal portion 194 has the samediameter as the minor diameter of the lead screw 92 but with opposingsides milled flat. Thus, the manual drive assembly first couplingcomponent 176 is, in an exemplary embodiment, a generally oval shapedportion, i.e. the lead screw extension distal portion 194.

The manual drive assembly second coupling component 178 is structured tobe rotatably coupled to the support assembly 90 and fixed to the manualdrive assembly first coupling component 176. In an exemplary embodiment,the manual drive assembly second coupling component 178 is a shaped body200 defining a shaped passage 202. The manual drive assembly secondcoupling component shaped body 200, in an exemplary embodiment, has anouter shape that is structured to be engaged by a hand tool, such as,but not limited to a wrench. Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, themanual drive assembly second coupling component shaped body 200 has ahexagonal shape similar to a six-sided nut. The manual drive assemblysecond coupling component shaped passage 202 is sized and shaped tosubstantially correspond to the lead screw extension 190. That is, themanual drive assembly second coupling component shaped passage 202includes first portion 204 and a second portion 206. The passage firstportion 204 has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape with adiameter substantially corresponding to the diameter of the lead screwextension proximal portion 192. The passage second portion 206substantially corresponds to the shape of the lead screw extensiondistal portion 194. That is, in an exemplary embodiment, the passagesecond portion 206 includes two opposed flat surfaces.

Further, the second coupling component shaped body 200 includes acircumferential channel 210. In an exemplary embodiment, thecircumferential channel 210 is disposed about the passage first portion204. The circumferential channel 210 is sized to correspond to thethickness of the support assembly vertical sidewall 102 that defines themanual drive assembly mounting opening 180.

The manual drive assembly 170 is assembled as follows. The manual driveassembly second coupling component 178 is disposed over the manual driveassembly first coupling component 176. That is, the second couplingcomponent shaped body 200 is coupled to the lead screw extension 190 bypassing the lead screw extension 190 through the shaped passage 202. Inthis configuration, the second coupling component shaped body 200 isfixed to the lead screw extension 190. That is, because the lead screwextension distal portion 194, and because the passage second portion 206substantially corresponds to the shape of the lead screw extensiondistal portion 194, the manual drive assembly first and second couplingcomponents 176, 178 cannot rotate relative to each other.

Further, the second coupling component shaped body circumferentialchannel 210 is disposed at the manual drive assembly mounting opening180 with the support assembly vertical sidewall 102 extending into thesecond coupling component shaped body circumferential channel 210. Inthis configuration, the manual drive assembly second coupling component178 cannot move axially relative to the lead screw 92, but is still freeto rotate relative to the support assembly 90. The manual drive assemblymounting bracket 182 is coupled, directly coupled, or fixed to thesupport assembly vertical sidewall 102 at a location aligned with theaxis of rotation of a lead screw 92. That is, the manual drive assemblymounting bracket opening 186 is generally centered along the axis of thelead screw 92.

In this configuration, a user can couple a tool, such as, but notlimited to a wrench, to the manual drive assembly second couplingcomponent shaped body 200 and rotate the manual drive assembly secondcoupling component 178. The rotational motion applied to the manualdrive assembly second coupling component 178 is transferred to themanual drive assembly first coupling component 176 thereby causing thelead screw 92 to rotate. Further, the rotation of the lead screw 92having the manual drive assembly 170 is transferred to the other leadscrew 92 via the transmission assembly 96.

The lock assembly 230 is structured to prevent the rotation of a leadscrew 92. In an exemplary embodiment, the lock assembly 230 includes amovable bolt (not shown) that is actuated by a key (not shown). The boltis structured to move between a withdrawn, first position, wherein thebolt does not engage the lead screw 92, and an extended, secondposition, wherein the bolt engages the lead screw. When the bolt engagesthe lead screw 92, rotation of the lead screw 92 is prevented.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described indetail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and alternatives to those details could be developed inlight of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, theparticular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only andnot limiting as to the scope of invention which is to be given the fullbreadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A drive assembly for an electrical apparatusracking assembly, said racking assembly including a carriage assemblystructured to be movably disposed in an electrical apparatus housingassembly, said carriage assembly structured to be moved between a firstposition and a second position, said housing assembly including a numberof sidewalls defining a substantially enclosed space, said driveassembly comprising: a positioning assembly, said positioning assemblystructured to impart movement to said carriage assembly and to move saidcarriage assembly from said first position to said second position; amotor assembly, said motor assembly structured to impart movement tosaid positioning assembly; a control assembly, said control assemblystructured to control said motor assembly; said control assembly inelectronic communication with said motor assembly; and said motorassembly operatively coupled to said positioning assembly.
 2. The driveassembly of claim 1 wherein: said positioning assembly includes a numberof lead screws, a number of drive blocks, and a transmission assembly;each said drive block movably coupled to an associated lead screw; saidtransmission assembly operatively coupled to said motor assembly and toeach said lead screw; and wherein, actuation of said motor assemblygenerates a motion, said motor assembly motion transferred to saidtransmission assembly causing a transmission assembly motion, and, saidtransmission assembly motion is transferred to each said lead screw. 3.The drive assembly of claim 2 wherein said transmission assemblyincludes a tension member, said tension member operatively coupled tosaid motor assembly and to each said lead screw.
 4. The drive assemblyof claim 3 wherein said tension member is one of a belt, toothed belt ora chain.
 5. The drive assembly of claim 1 wherein: said control assemblyincludes a control circuit, an output assembly and a number of sensors;said control circuit in electronic communication with said outputassembly, said number of sensors, and said motor assembly; and saidcontrol circuit structured to control said motor assembly.
 6. The driveassembly of claim 5 wherein said motor assembly includes an electricmotor including a power line and a rotating output shaft, and wherein:said number of sensors include a current sensor and a torque sensor;said current sensor structured to detect a current and to provide anoutput signal relating to said detected current; said current sensorcoupled to, and structured to detect the current in, said electric motorpower line; said torque sensor structured to detect the torque in arotating shaft and to provide an output signal relating to said detectedtorque; and said torque sensor coupled to, and structured to detect thetorque in, said electric motor output shaft.
 7. The drive assembly ofclaim 6 wherein: said control circuit includes a data storage device;said data storage device includes data representing an acceptable powerdraw profile; wherein said control circuit is structured to compare datafrom said current sensor to said acceptable power draw profile; andwherein, if said data from said current sensor deviates from saidacceptable power draw profile by a first deviation, said control circuitis structured to present an indication on said output assembly.
 8. Thedrive assembly of claim 7 wherein, if said data from said current sensordeviates from said acceptable power draw profile by a second deviation,said control circuit is structured to terminate the operation of saidmotor assembly.
 9. The drive assembly of claim 6 wherein: said number ofsensors include a number of position sensors; said number of positionsensors coupled to at least one of said carriage assembly or saidhousing assembly; and said number of position sensors structured todetermine the position of said carriage assembly relative to saidhousing assembly.
 10. The drive assembly of claim 1 wherein: saidcontrol assembly includes an input assembly; and said input assembly isstructured to receive input from a remote location.
 11. The driveassembly of claim 2 wherein: said positioning assembly includes a manualoverride device; and said manual override device structured toselectively decouple said positioning assembly and said carriageassembly and to allow manual movement of said carriage assembly.
 12. Thedrive assembly of claim 11 wherein: said manual override includes aselectively couplable coupling assembly; said manual override couplingassembly including a number of first coupling components and a number ofsecond coupling components; each said manual override first couplingcomponent coupled to each said lead screw; and each said manual overridesecond coupling component coupled to said carriage assembly.
 13. Thedrive assembly of claim 12 wherein: each said manual override firstcoupling component is a drive block; and each said manual overridesecond coupling component is a bracket latch assembly; each said bracketlatch assembly including a bracket latch member and a biasing device;each said bracket latch member structured to move between a firstposition, wherein each said bracket latch member engages an associateddrive block, and a second position, wherein each said bracket latchmember does not engage an associated drive block; and each said bracketlatch assembly biasing device coupled to a bracket latch member andstructured to bias said bracket latch member to said bracket latchmember first position.
 14. The drive assembly of claim 2 wherein: saidpositioning assembly includes a support assembly; said support assemblyincluding a generally planar member and a number of generally verticalsidewalls; said support assembly generally defining the height of thedrive assembly; and wherein said support assembly has a height ofbetween about 1.5 inches and 3.5 inches.
 15. A drive assembly for anelectrical apparatus racking assembly, said racking assembly including acarriage assembly structured to be movably disposed in an electricalapparatus housing assembly, said carriage assembly structured to bemoved between a first position and a second position, said housingassembly including a number of sidewalls defining a substantiallyenclosed space, said drive assembly comprising: a positioning assembly,said positioning assembly structured to impart movement to said carriageassembly and to move said carriage assembly from said first position tosaid second position; said positioning assembly includes a number oflead screws, a number of drive blocks, and a transmission assembly; eachsaid drive block movably coupled to an associated lead screw; saidtransmission assembly operatively coupled to said motor assembly and toeach said lead screw; a motor assembly, said motor assembly structuredto impart movement to said positioning assembly; and a manual driveassembly structured to impart movement to said positioning assembly. 16.The drive assembly of claim 15 wherein: said manual drive assemblyincludes a first coupling component and a second coupling component;said manual drive assembly first coupling component coupled to said leadscrew; said manual drive assembly second coupling component including ashaped body; and said manual drive assembly second coupling componentfixed to said manual drive assembly first coupling component.
 17. Thedrive assembly of claim 16 wherein: said manual drive assembly firstcoupling component includes an extension of said lead screw with anon-circular portion; and said manual drive assembly second couplingcomponent shaped body includes a passage with a portion shaped tocorrespond to said lead screw extension non-circular portion.
 18. Thedrive assembly of claim 16 wherein: said positioning assembly includes asupport assembly; said support assembly including a generally planarmember and a number of generally vertical sidewalls; one said verticalsidewall defining a generally circular opening, said opening alignedwith a lead screw; said manual drive assembly second coupling componentshaped body including a circumferential channel; and said manual driveassembly second coupling component shaped body rotatably coupled to saidsupport assembly with said manual drive assembly second couplingcomponent shaped body disposed in said generally circular opening.